Chennai, Oct 1:
PMK MLA and party Assembly floor leader Sowmiya Anbumani has dismissed reports that she is planning to switch parties and join the TVK-led government as a Minister, urging journalists not to give importance to such rumours.
Her remarks come amid reports of a possible political understanding between the PMK and the ruling TVK, including speculation that the PMK could extend support to the government and that Sowmiya Anbumani could be considered for a Cabinet berth.
Reports had suggested that portfolios such as School Education or Environment and Forests could be considered for her if such an arrangement was reached. There had also been speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle after the October 6 by-elections in Madurantakam and Dharapuram.
The speculation comes at a time when the PMK’s political position has come under renewed scrutiny. The party is currently part of the AIADMK-BJP alliance, while PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss’ recent approach towards Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, compared with his earlier criticism, has triggered speculation about a possible change in political alignment.
The PMK has also decided not to support any party in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections. CPI is contesting Dharapuram, while CPI(M) is contesting Madurantakam.
The TVK won 108 of the 234 Assembly seats in the April 23 election, falling three short of the 118 required for a majority. It subsequently formed the government with the support of Congress, VCK and IUML, whose MLAs joined the Cabinet. CPI and CPI(M), which won two seats each, extended external support but remained outside the Cabinet.
Seven Assembly constituencies have fallen vacant. Six — Madurantakam, Dharapuram, Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai and Karur — were held by AIADMK MLAs who resigned and subsequently joined the TVK. Tiruchirappalli East fell vacant after Vijay resigned the seat after retaining Perambur.
Even if the TVK wins all seven by-elections, its strength would rise to 115, leaving it three short of the majority mark. Against this backdrop, any formal decision by the PMK to extend support to the government could affect the ruling dispensation’s legislative strength.
For now, however, Sowmiya Anbumani has publicly rejected speculation about her switching parties or joining the TVK Cabinet.